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Stay Safe and Have Fun this Canada Day

As Canada’s 144th birthday approaches, there will be no shortage of ways to celebrate in Durham Region. Many will enjoy the day’s evening with fireworks so Durham Regional Police has a few quick tips to make sure you have a safe July 1.

• Store fireworks in a cool and dry location• Before lighting the fireworks, choose a display area outdoors away from houses, dry leaves, grass or other flammable materials • Never light the fireworks in any container, especially glass or metal• Ensure you have eye protection and no portion of your body is over the fireworks before lighting • Do not allow young children to play with fireworks under any circumstances. If you give your children sparklers, ensure they keep them outside and away from their face, clothing and hair.• Keep a bucket of water, hose and fire extinguisher nearby for emergencies and for pouring on fireworks that fail to ignite or explode• After use, soak all canisters in water before disposal • Never manufacture or experiment with fireworks

Local municipalities often hold festivities for young and old as well as fireworks displays organized by pyrotechnic experts. Below is a list of all Canada Day events in Durham Region.

Ajax

Rotary Park, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Residents and visitors are invited to celebrate Canada Day in Ajax for a great afternoon of fun, food, games and entertainment. Children can enjoy pony rides, a petting zoo, carnival games and strolling buskers. There will also be community group displays and presentations, giant mural painting and a barbecue hosted by the Rotary Club of Ajax.

Olde Time Races will start the day with events such as the three-legged race and sack race for children and adults alike. Throughout the day, on the front veranda of the museum, family entertainment will include live music from Friendly Fire and a balloon artist show by the popular children’s entertainer Jungle Jack. Relax aboard a horse-drawn carriage for a guided tour of historic Bowmanville. Special this year is the OPG Viking Encampment that will include Viking tents, reproduction artifacts and Viking games, crafts and activities. The Sarah Jane Williams Heritage Centre is open all day with your last chance to tour the current exhibit, The Vikings: Master Mariners, Traders, Colonists and Artisans before it returns to the Manitoba Museum. Make sure to include a tour of the Bowmanville Museum.

The City of Oshawa’s Canada Day event, presented by the City of Oshawa and the Auto Workers Community Credit Union, begins at noon with live entertainment and fun activities for the whole family to enjoy. A fireworks display off the shore of Lake Ontario will begin at 10:00 p.m.

Don’t miss the excitement at Pickering’s Bicentennial Canada Day Celebrations. Cultural entertainers, games, prizes and refreshments await all visitors. At 7 p.m., the main stage will feature three hot Canadian acts: Kardinal Offishall, Danny Fernandes & Alyssa Reid. The entire night will be topped off by a fireworks display.

Celebrate the Whitby County Town Carnival on Canada Day with free family fun, including jumping castles, face painting and a petting zoo. Don’t miss the live entertainment at centre stage and enjoy the Community Connection Canada Day fireworks display at dusk.